Jul
20
Who Are the Experts?
Filed Under Dietary Supplements | Comments Off
Consumers get information about dietary supplements from many sources, including friends, family members, and healthcare professionals. This information is often a mixture of scientific data, hearsay, and anecdote. Given the complexity of dietary supplements, however, only people with in-depth knowledge of science, medicine, and nutrition should be considered experts.
Registered dietitians, pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and physician assistants tend to be the most informed about the scientific evidence on dietary supplements. Registered dietitians are certified by the American Dietetic Association, and during the last several years, dietary supplements have become a major focus of their training and practice. In addition to answering specific questions about dietary supplements, a registered dietitian can determine individual nutrient needs based on age, sex, life stage (for instance, premenopausal versus postmenopausal women), and medical history. By analyzing the diet (including intake of fortified foods and dietary supplements), a registered dietitian can determine whether a person is consuming the recommended levels of nutrients or if any nutrients are lacking or being consumed in excess. Based on these results, a dietitian can recommend improvements to the diet and/or if dietary supplementation should be considered.
Pharmacists are trained to understand drug formulation and interactions. In addition to answering specific questions about dietary supplements, they can recognize potential interactions between dietary supplements and drugs. Pharmacists can also help identify those dietary supplements verified by the USP, ConsumerLab.com, or the NPA, as well as the recommended doses.
Physicians (MDs, DOs), nurses (RNs, NPs), and physician assistants are gradually becoming cognizant of the widespread use of dietary supplements. As a companion to the Physician’s Desk Reference, an immense and detailed catalogue of drug and prescribing information that can be found in virtually any doctor’s office or library, a new Physicians Desk Reference for Nonprescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements, and Herbs has been created. Physicians, nurses, and physician assistants can be useful resources regarding dietary supplements, including whether there is adequate evidence to support a benefit, no effect, or potential for harm.
People considering taking dietary supplements can benefit from consulting a knowledgeable expert. This is especially true for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant (or who may become pregnant); older individuals; people of smaller stature; people with chronic medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hypertension; and people with upcoming surgery. In addition, a pediatrician should be consulted when considering giving a dietary supplement to a child.
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